If he were to list his job qualifications on a resume, Cameron Botticelli probably wouldn't make a dynamic first impression on a potential employer:

"Gap-clogger, hole-plugger, lane-filler."

Sounds like a tube of caulk.

But Botticelli, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound defensive tackle for the Golden Gophers, has been a dependable and efficient performer over the past three seasons. While highly visible teammates such as Ra'Shede Hageman have received volumes of media attention for their work on defense, Botticelli has been busy, well, clogging, plugging and filling.

As others create havoc, Botticelli usually minds the fort at the line of scrimmage. He is in charge of details. It is an unheralded job, but that's life for many interior defensive linemen.

Botticelli, however, is starting to get a bit more attention.

It's not just that fellow linemen Hageman and Roland Johnson have moved on, but also that three current linemates went down with injuries in the opener against Eastern Illinois. That includes fellow tackle Scott Ekpe, who is out for the season.

The ranks are thin and inexperienced, and Botticelli is having to rally the troops. And as just about the last man standing, he's being nudged closer to the unfamiliar spotlight.

"Well, it's nothing that I think I'm unprepared for," he said. "But, yeah, I've been, by the media and the coaching staff, an under-the-radar guy. I wouldn't mind staying there, but that's fine if I'm the guy and I'm in front of the camera a little bit more.

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That's well received. And that's welcomed."

A guy who has made a career out of doing the little things, Botticelli understands the bigger picture created by all the injuries: There are some untested youngsters being forced into action.

"I don't put anything (extra on myself) as far as on the field of play," he said. "All I have to do is what is my responsibility, my assignment within the defense, and we're going to dominate. As far as taking a leadership role in the locker room, absolutely. You should get around those young guys, and I have. Other older players have.

"We've become resources for those young guys preparing to play, preparing to contribute."

Out of Marquette University High School in Wisconsin, Botticelli had offers from smaller schools but decided to try walking on with the Gophers. After being redshirted in 2010, and earning a scholarship, he appeared in every game in 2011 and then started 24 games over the next two seasons.

A fellow in his position will never put up gaudy stats, and that always has been fine with him. But in the opener against Eastern Illinois, Botticelli recorded a sack, three solo tackles and appeared a bit more visible. He had just one sack all of last season.

"The stats are secondary," he said. "I think it's important that our team is a unified group. At the end of the day, the individual accolades, for me at least, Cameron Botticelli, are not top priority. So if I get another sack, if I don't get another sack rest of the year, it doesn't matter as long as we're winning football games."

This isn't typical senior leadership; it's post-graduate leadership. Botticelli earned a degree in political science more than a year ago and now is working on a masters. His plan all along has been to go to law school right after finishing up with the Gophers. But that might change, as now there is chatter that he might be able to extend his playing career beyond college.

"Yeah, absolutely," he said with a grin. "I'm going to do everything I can this year to be the best teammate and be the best member of the University of Minnesota football team. That's first. Secondarily, if an opportunity presents itself at the next level, I will attack that with every ounce of fervor that I've attacked getting an undergrad degree, working on a masters, going from a walk-on to a starter."

This talk of perhaps someday playing professionally is all rather unexpected.

"Much like high school, when I put on the helmet for the first time when I was 15 years old, I had no idea I could be a starting Big Ten defensive tackle," he said. "Much the same in college, I'm not exactly sure what opportunity I might receive. But whatever opportunity I do receive, you better believe that I'm going to give every ounce of effort and energy that I have. But I'll cross that bridge when we get there."